Weddings On A Budget – The Best Ways To Save Money When Getting Married

Posted by:Bankruptcy Specialist onApril 6, 2018

Most of us have a pretty good understanding that weddings can be an expensive pursuit, but do you really know how much the average wedding costs in Australia? Slightly over $36,000, according to Australia’s Money Smart website. And that was in 2012! These days, it’s most probably somewhere around the $50,000 mark. I guess if you have well-off parents it wouldn’t be a concern, but unfortunately the majority of us don’t.

Let’s face it, $50,000 is a considerable amount of money! You could buy a franchise, place a deposit on a new house, repay your student loans, or even travel the world! The fact is though, weddings are a celebration of two individuals who commit to devoting the rest of their lives together. Sure, we ‘d all like to have the wedding of our dreams, but we shouldn’t lose sight of what’s really important.

Whilst I’ve never been married personally, I have a close circle of friends, and two of them managed to pull off the most mind-blowing weddings on a shoestring. Of course, it didn’t include extravagant bridesmaid parties and catering for 300 guests, but it was unique, intimate, and everyone who came had the time of their lives. If you’re about to get married on a budget and trying to find ways to save money, then here’s how.

Location There’s many ways to save thousands of dollars on your wedding venue alone. One of the most spectacular weddings I was invited to was in the backyard of a friend’s house. Other alternatives you could look into is hiring a local park for the day, or even the beach. The atmosphere is spectacular, you can personalise your wedding to precisely how you want it, and the costs are exceptionally low. If you make the decision to have your wedding in a public location, just remember to contact the local council and book well in advance.

Wedding Date While lots of people prefer their weddings on a Saturday, the rates of venues are far more costly on Saturday than any other day of the week. Consider having your wedding on a Friday or Sunday where Monday is a public holiday. The time of year will also have a dramatic influence on the rates of your venue. If you’re dead-set on having your wedding reception in an indoor location, then reserve your wedding date in winter and you’ll save more or less a third of the costs for venue hire itself.

Photography The cost of a professional photographer will typically cost close to $4,000 for the entire day. With the incredible specs of smartphone cameras nowadays, look at hiring a professional photographer only for the formalities and ask your buddies to take photos over the course of your wedding. You can make a hashtag on Twitter and ask your friends to post their photos, ensuring that there’ll be an abundance of natural pictures that resonate the true spirit of your special day.

Food & Drinks If you really want to save money, then catering businesses are your prime target! They charge outrageous prices and aren’t really necessary at all. Think about putting together your own food and drinks and don’t hesitate to go against the grain here.

You could hire a wood fire pizza truck that serves gourmet pizza, or look into hiring an expert to roast a whole pig in the ground and make the sides by yourself. For me, there’s nothing better than a pulled pork burger with mouth watering sauce and cheesy smashed potatoes! Don’t forget that most of the time, being unique is far more memorable than being traditional. Furthermore, search for a venue that permits you to bring your own alcohol. You’ll save a stack of money this way, and you’ll have the opportunity to arrange a significant discount when buying in bulk.

Don’t Borrow Money It’s not unusual for newlyweds to borrow money to cover their weddings, not understanding how difficult it can be to repay. Not only will you be paying for the wedding itself, but also interest on top of that, which can sometimes take years to pay off. If you’ve had an extravagant wedding and found yourself in financial distress, always seek financial guidance sooner rather than later. The sooner you take action, the more options will be available. For any financial advice regarding your personal circumstances, get in contact with Bankruptcy Melbourne on 1300 818 575, or visit our website for further information: http://www.bankruptcy-melbourne.com.au/